Index device



E. CARLSON Oct 9, 192e..l

INDEX DEVICE' Oct. 9, 1928.

E. CARLSON INDEX DEVICE Filed Jan. 31, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 oct. 9, 192s'.`

E. CARLSON INDEX DEVICE Filed Jan. s1, 1925 s sheets-sheet `3 4 NEPA/5K5.

Patented Oct.9, 1928.

UNITEDA STATT-,3s

PATENT oFFlcs.,

EDVIAR-D CARLSON, OIFv BUFFALO, NEW YORKrASSIVGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,l TO REMINGTON RAND INC., 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.,.A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE.

INEEX DEVICE.

Application filed January (31, 1925. Sera1ANo.r6,146.

This invention relates to record or indexcard or cardholder trays or supports on which a plurality of the cards or card holders are arranged in overlapping rela'- tion.

The record cards, holders or devices, hereinafter called cardV holders, are usually provided with flaps at one edge between which and the body portion of the cardk holder the head of another holder may be inserted to maintain them in a nested series.I with the bodyV portions overlapping and lying substantially flatwise on the tra-y with their free edges exposed one beyond another toV an inoperative position to release the card holders, sovthat one or moremay be removed, or additional holders added to the series. For this purpose the followers have been made adjustable so that their holderengaging portions may be moved forwardly.

or rearwardly to compensate for differences in 'the lengths of dierent series ofholders.

The objects of the present invention are to construct a cardindex or record tray or support provided with an adjustable follower'of improved and simplified construction; also to provide a combined'follower and card-holder support; also to provide an improved operating device for the follower which is adjustabley to position the combined follower and cardholder support in correct relation to series of holders of varying lengths, and whichv is so attached to the tray that the follower will be unaected by the movement of the holders due to shocks which occur when the *tray` is `moved intothe cabinet. Y

Other objects are to provide a tray'and follower which have interengaging parts for holding the follower in operative y or card-holding position, and also to provide the trayA with a spring device adapted to automatically move the follower to its holder releasing position when the operating device is actuated.

. Another object is to'provide a vfollower and card-holder support' which is pivotally connected to its operating stein or device so as to have a swinging movement relatively thereto toa Aposition in which itfuncovers the operating device and cooperating parts of the tray and renders these parts accessible for adjustment or inspection and at the same time bears on and holds the adjacent card holders positively in an inoperative position out'of Vthe way. v i

Another object is to construct an improved latch for trays of thisl sort which isadapted to engage a fixed part of the cabinetor tray support and releasably hold the tray in the cabinet.

VOther objects are to improve and simplify 'Y card index traysand followers in the other .respects hereinafter specified and claimed.

In the vaccompanying drawings, Fig. l is a plan view of a portion of fa card. index or record tray or slide embodyf.

ing the invention.` l I Y Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof with the follower-or stop and adjacent parts.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the follower moved to its holder-releasing position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan View, brokenv vcard holders thrown back to 'expose the Y away. to show the adjusting means for varyf' ing the *length of the A follower-operating device. 9 f

`v Fig. 5 isa longitudinal section thereofw on line 5-5, Fig.; 4. f

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the tray, vsimilar Vto Fig. 2, but showing the'card holderretaining plate'and'supportswung to a position in which its operating. device and 'adjacent parts are exposed'.

Fig. 7 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, j of the front portion of the tray, with they follower-operating device in released position, and showing kthe means Vfor moving it to i this position when released from engagement with its locking or holding means. v

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of the'tray on an enlarged scale, on line 8-S, Fg."6. i Y

Fig. is asimilar view on line 15-15,`

Fig. 12.

Fg. 16 is a View similar to Fig. 11 showhe operating member for the follower ed preparatory to .its movement to releasing position.

rihe tray A or slide may be of any usual or suitable construction, (except as hereinafter noted ada `ated to receive a nluralit The holders as and connecting of nested card holders B.

usual have body portions l hinged portions D by which they are at-V tached to underlying flaps E at their upper edges, each holder being` nested between the connecting portion and flap of an adjacent holder. rihe flaps formed with lateral lugs or ears F for attaching the holdersto the tray. The tray A includes a bottom plate or support 10 for the card holders. side walls 11 having inturned and depending iianges12 beneath which the lugs F of the holders are inserted, and a front or end wall 13. The tray alsopreferably has a back stop against which the rear holder of the series abuts to limit the extent 'to which the holders may move rearwardly and which permits them to be compressed and maintained in their nested relation.

The combined follower and card-holder support embodied in the present invention includes a substantially rectangular flat plate or member 20, adapted to extend beneath the body C of the front holder of the series with its rear edge 21 engaging between said body and the attached flap E.

` This plate extends from side to side of the tray A betweenthe side walls, itsrear edge portion 21 being formed with a pair of latf eral ears 22 adapted to slidably engageA beneath theside flanges 12 so as to be guided longitudinally in the tray. In its card holder retaining position the follower plate 2O inclines upwardly and forwardly with its front edge 24 adjacent the front wall of the tray. its front vportion being supported in this position by a iiXcd tray-bracing apron or member 25 secured in the tray and having an upper face or wall 26 which is inclined at the saine angle as the plate and forms a rigid rest therefor. The part 2G of the vapron -eXtends transversely between Figs. 2 and 3 the side. flanges of the tray, and its front portion is provided with an voffset attaching flange 27 the edge of which is transversely channelled at 28. This channel is adapted to be r eeived and tits snugly in a complementary transverse and downwardly opens ing channel 29 formed'along the top edge of the front wall 13 of the tray.- The rear edge ofthe apron 25 is bent downwardly to form a vertical wall 80, the central portion of which is preferably cut away at 31 so as to kleave two spaced wall parts, theV lower edges of which are eiitended rear- Vncardly to forni a pair of feet or attaching portions 32 which rest on the bottom plate 10 of the tray.V rfhe apron 25 is attached to the tray by first inserting its channelled edge 2S-in the channel 29 and then engaging the` feet 32 with the tray bottom 19 and securing these feet thereto by suitable means such sition the front edge' 21 of the follower in position to properly secure a greater or less number of holders. For this purpose the 'niember includes a stem extending longitudinally midway of the tray, and a sleeve or telescoping portion 36 into which the stem slidably fits and in which it is preferably releasably secured by a pin 37 on a linger piece 38 pivotally attached to the sleeve. rl`he pinv is adapted to enter hole 39EL and any one of a series of holes 39 in the sleeve and Vstem respectively to vary the length of the operating device, the finger piece being vlifted and swung laterally to permit the parts and 36 to be'V adjusted. The operating device extends beneath the apron 25 and rearwardlf,7 beyond the same and is pivotally attached to the underside of the plate 20, preferably adjacent its rear edge,` as by a hinge pin 40, andits Vstenrpoition extends forwardly throughv a Vhole 41 in the front wall 13, where it is provided with a finger piece or knob 42 for actuating it. The linger piece is disposed' close to the face of. the front wall and prevents rearward movements of the follower, and a lug or projection tformed von .the stem at the inner side of the tray is adapted to prevent unintentional outward 'movements of the follower, as by engaging the odset flange 27 of the apron 25, an aperture 441- being formed in the apron through which the lug extends.V The stem is yieldingly held with its lug 43 in engagement with theiiange 27, and may be'depressed to disengage Asaid lugto permit the operating. device to be .moved forwardly and thereby 'move the followerI to its releasing position. f The yielding means for this purpose comprises a bowedwire y spring 45 looselyarrangedin a retainer" or part 46 formed of sheet metal, and which has a vertical transverse wall 47 adjacent the front wall of the tray, said wall having a narrow top Vflange 48 extending rearwardly and from which depends pair of spaced lugs 48 between which and the wall 47 the intermediate bowed portion -of the spring is disposed. rlhe end portions of the spring are held between the wall 47 and a pair oflugs 50'which are turned up froml a bottom flange 51 ofthe retainer, said flange being secured to the bottom lplate 10.

of the tray to hold the vretainer rigidly in place. The extremitiesof the spring are bent rearwardly and bear on the flange 51.-; By bearing ontheA finger piece 42 and depressing the spring 45 4the stem 35.1nay be moved forwardlyas the hole 41 is wide -or deep enough to permit the passage of the lug 43 therethrough. l Y Y,

- The ytray is .preferably provided with means for automaticallymoving the `follower to its card holder releasing position ywhen the stem 35 is depressed as stated, these mcans,j. as shown in the drawings preferably com-- prising a spring member 55, see Figs.,7 and 13, whichis detachably maintainedin posi,- tion onthe underside ofthe apron 25 and has an intermediate part 56 extending be-l hind and engaging a hook 57 stamped outof and depending from'the vstem ..35 of the follower-operating device. The endsfof the spring are disposed on opposite'sides of the stem and are detachably engaged withinte-v gral hooks 58on the. apron, and the parts of the spring between. the ends and the' intermediate portion 56 are bowed,'as at59r, these portions being stressed or under tension when theoperating device( is inits inner` position so as tdhold the lug '43 firmlyk against its stop. When thestem is .depressed ythe lug isV released from the tray andthe operating device and follower will be moved outwardly to the `holder-releasing position by the spring 55. This movement is limited by thekfront ends of a pair of `parallel .depressed spring-guiding l,webs or parts 60,

formed by stamping out and depressingpor-` tions ofthe apron 25, see Figs. 13v and 16. To insure the proper movement of the fols,

lower outwardly,and prevent it from catch-V ing on the front wall or adjacent parts ofthe tray, thefr0nt edge 24 of the follower plate is bent upwardly whereby this edge is 'guided over the tray front. A

The described construction.k of the follower and cooperating parts of the tray provides a practical structure adapted toy positively maintain the nested holders in their intended position in the tray, and alsoV providesa firm and smooth rest for the front holdersso as to maintain `their free .edges in'alinement with the edgesv of [the other holders. The operating member is so connected to the tray that the follower is always positivelyheld in its adjustedposition and can not move rear.-

wardly due to vthe momentum caused by 1 shocks imparted to the tray-whenlin use; also rearward movements of the cardholders and the reaction thereof to such movements cannot displace or disconnectthe follower. The followerplate, beingpivotally connected to its operating device as described,is capable of being swung aboutits pivot soas to extend rearwardly as `shown inv Fig. 8, to.

permit access to the operating .devices-and` other parts normally concealed beneath it and in vwhich position it bears on the adjacent card holders and holds them' out of the way.

The tray of the presentl invention is also provided with an improved latch or retainer for releasably holding the tray ein its closed'y position in the. cabinet vand preventingthe trayfrom accidentally sliding outwardly, as.

for instance, should the cabinet be tipped .forwardly whilebeing carried or lifted.v

This latch, see- Figs. 8-10 comprises -a transverse,` horizontally disposed, liexible plate or strip 62 se'curedfat one end on the top face of the traybottom 10, as by means of a pair of lugs 63 struck out of said bottom j and one ,of which passes through an aperture 64 in the plate, and areV clinched down on the plate to hold this end thereof rigidly inplace. The opposite end portion of the plate 62 lis provided with a .dependingcatch or stop portion 65, preferably of U-shaped transverse section'which projects throughr a hole in thetraybottom 10 and the bottom portion, of which inclins upwardly pand rearwardly so that its rear-edge 66 .1s sube stantially flush with the tray bottom. The

front face of the stop 65 is adapted to engage;

lcam to guide the Lstop over the partition X.

In the A.use of' the tray, the stop 65 may f often be subjected to violent shocks by suddenly strikingKtheJretainin'g part-on the cabi-V net especially after the fingen-piece has been manipulated ,to lift the latch', vand to prevent.

the latch 62 from being bent backwardly or otherwise injured from 'such blows, an abutvment or reinforcement 69 is formed on the wardly and is adapted to engage tlie'rear' edge of the. latch to brace it and prevent the same from moving rearwardly.

rlhe tray of the present invention is also provided with a handle or pull 7() of suitable form and the finger piece 67 of the latch 62 is preferably arranged below and within this handle, so as to be easily manipulated to release the tray at the time thehaiidle is grasped to draw the tray forward.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a record tray or slide adapted to support a series of record holders fiatwise thereon in overlapping and nested relation, the combination of a follower having a holder-engaging portion adapted to engage an end holder of said series so as to compress and maintain said holders in their nested relation, an operating member movably attached to said holder-engaging portion and engaging a fixed part on saidtray tok maintain said follower in operative position, said operating member being releasable from said fixed tray part, and yielding means on said tray engageable with said tain said follower in operative position, said operating member being releasable from said fixed tray part, and a spring member mounted on said tray and bearing against a part on said follower and which is under compression when said operating device is in engagement with said 'fixed tray part, said spring member being adapted to extend when said operating device is released from said fixed tray part so as to move said follower to its holder-releasing position.

3. In a record tray or slide adapted to support a series of record holders-flatwise thereon in overlapping and nested relation, the

combinationof a follower having a holderengaging portion adapted to engage an end holder of said series so as to compress and maintain said holders in their nested relation, an operating member iiiovably attached to said holder-engaging portion and engaging a fixed part on said trayto maintain said follower in operative position, said operating member being releasable from said fixed tray part, a transverse apron fixed in and adapt-ed to brace said tray and adjacent to which said operating member is disposed, a spring member connected to said fixed apron and having a part engaging said oper-` ating device so as to compress said spring when said operating device is in engagement with said fixed tray part, and said spring member being adapted to extend whensaid operating device is released from said fixed.

relation, an operating member movably attached to said holder-engaging portion and:

engaging a fixed part on said tray to maintain said follower in operative position, said operating member being releasable from said fixed tray part, a transverse apron fixed Yin and adapted to brace said tray and adjacent to which said operating member is dis-` posed, a bowed spring member having itsr ends connected to parts on said apron and its intermediate portion engaging a part on" said operating device so as toV compress the bowed portions of the spring when said operating device is in engagement with said fixed tray part, and said bowed spring beingadapted to extend when said operating device is released from said fixed tray Vpart to positively move said follower to its holder-releasing position.

5. In a record trav or slide adapted to support a series of record holdersfiatwise thereon in overlapping and nested relation, the combination of a follower having a holderengaging portion adapted to engage an end holder of said series so as to compress and maintain said holders in'their nested rela.- tion, an operating member movably attached to said holder-engaging portion' and engaging a fixed part Aon said tray to maintain said follower in operative position, said operating member being releasablefrom said fixed tray part, a transverse -apron fixed in and adapted to brace said tray and form 'a Y support for thefront portion of said follower whereby said follower is adapted tov support the body portions of the adjactent card.

holders, said voperating member extending longitudinally beneath said apron and said apron having a spring device connectedk thereto which is provided with a. part engaging said operating member so as to hold Vsaid spring under compression when said operating-device is in engagement with said fixed tray part, and said spring device `being adapted to positiveljT move said followerto its holder-releasing positionwhen said oper-` v ating device is released from said fixed tray Y part.

j 6. In a record tray or slide adapted Ito` support a series of record holders fiatwise thereon in' overlapping and nested relation,

the combination of a yfollower having a plate of substantially the size of the recordY holder bodies and which is adapted to be disposedy beneath and support the body portions of adjacent card holders and having. a rear edge adapted to` engage an end holder of the series to compress said holders and maintain them in their nested relation, anoperat-v ing member extending beneath said plate and connected thereto and having a part engaging a fixedpart on saidtray to maintain 7. In a record tray or slide adapted to., supportarseries of record'holders fiatwise thereon in'overlapping and nested'relation, the combination of a follower having aplate of substantially the size of the cardrholder bodies and which is yadapted to'be disposed beneath and support the-body portions off adjacent card holders and having a rear edge adapted to engage an end holder of the series to compress said holders and maintain them in their nested relation, an operating `member extending beneath said plate and connected thereto, said operating memberrhaving a part engaging aiixed part on saidvt-ray to hold said follower in operative position and having means for adjustingsaid plate longitudinally of said tray to position said" follower in correct holding relation to holder series of different lengths.

8. In a record tray or slideadapted to sup#` port a series of record holders flatwise thereon in overlapping and'nested relation,v

the combination of a follower having a plane imperforate plate of substantially the size of the card-holder bodies, and which, is adapted to be. disposed beneath and support the body portions of adjacent card holders and having a rear edge adapted to engage an end holder of the series to compress said holders and maintain them in vtheir nested relation, an operating memberl extending longitudinally beneath said plate, a transverse hinge connection betweenV said follower plate and operating member', said operating member being adapted toengage a fixed part lon said tray to maintain said follower in.

operative position and beingv releasable from said fixed part to permit the follower to move to its holder-releasing position, and said hinge connection being adapted to per- -mit said follower plate to swing to a rear-y wardly extending inoperative position when said operating device isreleased to permit access to said'operating device.

9. In a record trayor slide vadapted to l have a series of recordr holders arranged thereon' in overlapping and vnested relation, said tray havingvan end wall andA a follower disposed adjacent said yend wall and having a holderfengaging portion adapted `to, en-

gage anv end holder of said series to main-y tain saidpholders in their nested relation, an operatingdeviceY connected'to said followery and having a part releasably engaging a fixed part on said tray1 to hold said follower 'in operative position and an actuating part extending outwardly through said end wall,

a `spring member mounted on said tray and adapted to'yieldingly engage and hold Vsaid operating device agalnst saidfixe'd tray part land saidloperating ydevice being adapted to be depressed to flex said spring member and release said devicefrom said fixed tray part.`

l0. Inl a record tray or slide adapted to have afseries of record holders arranged thereon infoverlappingand nested relation,

said Atray rhaving an endwall, and a followerl disposedfadj acent Asaid `endwall andl having a holder-engaging portion adapted to engage an end holder of said series to maintain said holders in their nested relation, an operatingdevice connected to saidk follower and having a part releasably engaging a fixed part on said traj7 to hold saidvfollower in operative position, and an actuating part ex-v tending outwardly through said end wall, a retainer fixed on said tray, a spring member arrangedotherein and having a portion yieldingly engaging said operating deviceto hold it against said fixed tray part, said device being adapted to be depressed to flex said spring member and release said device Afrom said fixed tray part.r

11. In a record tray adaptedtoy support a ser'es of record holders fiatwise thereon in l `raging secton adapted to engage an end holder of said series so as to compress and maintain vsaid holders in their nested relation, andv an operating member movably attached to said holder-engaging section and engaging a fixed part on said tray to main-y tain said follower in operative posit'on. said operating member being rreleasable from `said trav so as to move -said holder-engaging section to holder-releasing position.

12. In a record tray adapted to support a series of record'holders flat-wise thereon in overlapping `and nested relation, an operating member associated with said tray, a follower having a holder-engaging section movably associated with said operat'ng member, and spring means associated with said operating r'member and adapted to 4maintain said operating member and follower in holder-engaging position, said opi erating member and follower being adapted p tion movably associated with said operating member, latch means associated With said operating` member and tray wall adapted to maintain said holder-engaging section in Contact with a record holder, and spring means adapted to cause said operating member to move aWav from said record holders when said actuatingu member is actuated.

14. In a record tray having an end Wall vand adapted to support a series of'record holders fiatwise thereon. in overlapping and nested position, an apron fixed near said end Wall, a follower having a holder-'engaging section, and an operating member movablv connected to said section and slidably adjustable relative to said apron and adapted Aholders latwise thereon in overlapping and nested position, a follower having a holderengaging section, and an operating memf ber movablv connected to'said section and Y slida-bly adjustable relative to said end Wall and ladapted to releasab'ly' maintain Vsaid holder-engaging section in Contact With a record holder.

' 16.111 a record tray having` an end Wall and'adapted to Asupport a series of record holders flatwise thereon in overlapping and nested position 'a follower having a holderengaging section, and an operating member adjustable in lengt-h `connected to said'section and slidable relative toV said end Wall, and c adapted to releasabllv maintain said holder-engaging sec-tion in'eon'taotwvith areeord holder. i

EDWARD CARLSON. 

